By Rabbi Leonard Rosenthal SAN DIEGO–Balak, the King of Moab, hated the Israelites. He asked Balaam, a well-known prophet and soothsayer, to curse them on his behalf. When Balaam refused, Balak changed his mind by promising him a generous honorarium. Balaam, however, did have one condition: “I can utter only the word that God puts […]
Is Israel’s separation a curse or blessing? Read More »
Jewish ReligionBy Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO—At gravesite services for Tessie Sonnabaum at the Home of Peace Cemetery on Thursday, June 24 , I couldn’t help but observe that she was known for her big hat, big smile, big laugh…. “And her big heart,” added Leah Fradkin, the rebbetzin of Chabad of Scripps Ranch. How true. Sonnabaum
Tessie Sonnabaum, lady of big hats, smile and heart, laid to rest Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Jewish History
Marking Humanity: Stories, Poems & Essays by Holocaust Survivors, Toronto, SoulInscriptionsPress.com, 2010, 312 pages, ISBN 978-0-9864770-0-3. By Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO –Canadian journalist Shlomit Kriger has brought together the reflections, stories and poems of nearly 50 Holocaust Survivors in an anthology that covers many aspects—and emotions—of the Shoah. Marking Humanity could serve as an excellent
Holocaust anthology provides insight for readers, therapy for writers Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, International, Jewish HistoryBy Rabbi Leonard Rosenthal SAN DIEGO–It is not easy to be the leader of a club or organization. Some people like you, others dislike you, and you need to develop a thick skin. No one knew this better than Moses. No matter how hard he tried, the Israelites criticized and judged him and at times,
The making and testing of leaders Read More »
Jewish ReligionBy J. Zel Lurie DELRAY BEACH, Florida–Why does the Israel Navy’s killing civilian protesters on the high seas remind me of the brutal actions of the British Navy in combating the ships of Aliya Bet in 1947? There is no comparison in quantity or quality between the two events but both won the battle and
IDF copies British Navy in winning and and losing Read More »
Jewish History, Middle EastBy Rabbi Leonard Rosenthal SAN DIEGO–In this week’s parasha we find one of the most infamous disputes in Jewish history: that of Korach and his followers. Korach led an uprising agaisngt Moses and Aaron. He wanted to remove them from leadership and make himself the ruler instead. Moses challenged Korach to a “duel.” Korach and
Bible calls upon humanity to try to make peace Read More »
Jewish ReligionBy Rabbi Leonard Rosenthal SAN DIEGO–On Thursday evening I returned from attending the International Rabbinical Assembly Convention. For the first time in its history, this year’s RA Convention was held at the Jewish Theological Seminary in New York City. JTS is the premiere academic institution of the Conservative Movement and many JTS scholars, as well
Female rabbis assume leadership of Rabbinical Assembly Read More »
Jewish Religion, Middle East, USA
By Judy Lash Balint JERUSALEM–It’s 5:00 a.m on Shavuot morning and I’m having trouble finding an empty seat at any shul in Jerusalem’s Old City. Every synagogue is already packed as I make the mistake of lingering a few minutes too long at the Kotel amongst the tens of thousands who have made
Jerusalemites crowd the Old City for Shavuot Read More »
Jewish Religion, Middle East, Travel and FoodRelated story by Joey Seymour By Norman Greene SAN DIEGO– During his life time, Bob Breitbard, 91, who passed away in his sleep at Seacrest Village Retirement Home in Encinitas on Monday, May 17, was already a San Diego legend. As a dreamer and visionary sportsman who built a community arena, a museum to honor
Breitbard’s philanthropy and family ties emphasized at funeral service Read More »
Obituaries & memorials, San Diego County, Sports & Competitions
By Donald H. Harrison NATIONAL CITY, California – Observing the National City Marine Terminal from the top deck of M.V. Jean Anne, a 13,000-metric ton ship that transports automobiles and other cargo between San Diego County and the Hawaiian Islands, I could imagine four 19th Century San Diego pioneers standing there with me and nudging each
Old Louis Rose might have kvelled over National City Marine Terminal Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Jewish History
Eva’s Story by Eva Schloss (with Evelyn Julia Kent), William B. Eerdman Publishing Co, 2010, 226 pages. By Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO—This is an updated version of the memoirs of Eva Schloss, who was the posthumous stepsister of the immortal Anne Frank. Originally published in 1988, the current edition brings readers up to date
Eva Schloss, stepsister of Anne Frank, writes intriguing memoir Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, Jewish HistoryBy Rabbi Leonard Rosenthal SAN DIEGO–Thursday evening my wife Judy and I returned from visiting our son, daughter-in-law, and two grandsons. Shortly after our first grandson, Neriya, was born, his mother called and asked us to reserve Lag B’Omer of this year for his upshirin. My son, Rabbi Adam Rosenthal, and his wife, Sarah, were
3-Year-Old’s Lag b’Omer haircut indicative of a return to tradition Read More »
Jewish Religion, Travel and Food
By Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO—There are many automotive museums around the world, interpreting their missions in a variety of fashions. Some collect, wanting to obtain representative automobiles of every make, nationality, or year. Others love to show the marriages of art and technology, form and function, and marketing and self-perceptions all shaping people’s
San Diego’s Historic Places: San Diego Automotive Museum Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Jewish History, USABy Joellyn Zollman Jews of the Pacific Coast: Reinventing Community on America’s Edge. Ellen Eisenberg, Ava F. Kahn, and William Toll. Seattle: University of Washington Press, 2009, 309pp. SAN DIEGO–The New York Jewish experience has long served as the template for understanding American Jewish history. In Jews of the Pacific Coast, historians Ellen Eisenberg, Ava
Another paradigm for historians: Jewish life on the West Coast Read More »
Jewish History